Well, it’s been a decidedly relaxing few days here in lovely Palolem, where my aim has simply been to maintain the blissed-out state I (of sorts) managed to achieve at the Bamboo Yoga Retreat over the past week. Not that it’s been all that hard, particularly. As I mentioned in my last post, Palolem very much epitomises that quintessential Goan hippy vibe and, quite frankly, it’s not like I’m exactly over-exerting myself here much either…

The original plan had been to squeeze in a couple of day trips from Palolem, namely to the Tanshikar Spice Farm and Dudhsagar Falls. However, on weighing up the heat, hassle and high cost of getting there (both a good hour or more away) against the sheer number of beachfront spa treatments I could indulge in far more conveniently right here for the same price, I swiftly binned off that idea. After all, Dudhsagar is hardly Niagara Falls, and it’s not as if I haven’t toured my fair share of spice farms across Asia in my time either (the one in Bali, where we drank cat poo coffee, would be a pretty tough act to follow, anyhow…).

Instead, my days here have since settled into a predictable yet satisfying rhythm. Firstly, up at six for a sunrise run and to see the beach slowly but surely come to life, all while the majority of fellow tourists slumber on in their beds.

Next up later that morning, some form of Southern Indian brunch, such as dhosa, idli or aloo paratha, each accompanied by some form of sambal – plus at least one obligatory lassi in the mix, obviously!

Afternoons have typically been spent alternating between the various massages, classes or spiritual healing type workshops on offer to the itinerant Goan soul-searching contingent here. As for now though, let’s put a pin in that one until my next entry, as this definitely warrants its own separate post in another day or two’s time…

Back in the here and now though, come six pm-ish and you’ll typically find me sundowner in hand and shooting the breeze with other travellers in one of the many beachfront bars here. Big shout out to Claudia (if you did end up reading!) – a Canadian practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine, currently on a research trip to Goa, with whom I ended up putting the world to rights on one such memorable occasion. As promised, @Claudia, I really will try to get that pesky vata imbalance under control once I get home – now that I actually know WTF that means, that is… 😉

Eventually, dinner time rolls around, which for me usually involves a visit either to one of the many beachside restaurants or a back-street dhaba. To date, I’ve been happily working my way through the vast array of local Goan cuisine, with specialities sampled so far including prawns xacuti and various seafood thalis.

Anyway, it’s late now, and as you can tell, I’m officially fed, watered, socialised and relaxed after yet another day in paradise here. Next time, we’ll be diving more into Goa’s so-called ‘spiritual’ side, where things get a little more… ummm… intense, let’s say. Until then, namaste and catch you all up on the latest goings on soon!